The One Show: A new Pencil that rewards work making a real impact on the future

September 23, 2019

The One Club for Creativity has launched The One Show Sustainable Development Pencil to reward agencies and brands who create work which betters the world and contributes to securing a sustainable future for all. It has been introduced in cooperation with the United Nations Office for Partnerships and non-profit, PVBLIC Foundation.

The new Pencil was announced at the recent SDG Media Summit 2019 conference at the UN, ahead of this year’s 74th session of the UN General Assembly.

“The One Show Sustainable Development Pencil will recognise teams who contribute to this important initiative by addressing the UN’s 17 SDGs,” explained Kevin Swanepoel, chief executive officer, The One Club. “This prestigious new Pencil will be awarded for work that proves to have a sustained and measurable impact over time and is scalable by other brands or places. The work must also change behaviour, not just raise awareness, and involve a strategic partnership.”

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals are the calls for action at the heart of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which was adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, and provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future.

These SDGs recognise that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth — all while tackling climate change and working to preserve the oceans and forests.

“This is an amazing announcement, we are really excited about it,” stated Robert Skinner, executive director, UN Office for Partnerships. “We need to recognise those who are doing good work, driving that positive story, developing partnerships and implementing the SDGs in their messaging in order to drive that real impact.”

“We are excited to partner with The One Club for Creativity to launch the SD Pencil at the SDG Media Summit,” added Sergio Fernandez de Cordova, chairman of the Summit and PVBLIC Foundation, a non-profit media organisation that harnesses the power of media to drive social change. “Creativity with a purpose to help advance engagement around the 17 SDG goals must be celebrated, and we must celebrate leadership around purpose. This new One Show award is in line with the mandate of our partnership with the UN to focus on spreading the word and activating global audiences to help build a better tomorrow.”

Sergio Fernandez de Cordova, PVBLIC chairman (l), and Kevin Swanepoel, One Club CEO (r), last week at the SDG Media Summit 2019 conference at the UN.

“The 17 Sustainable Development Goals are a call for action, but not just for governments and civil society. Brands should also do their part,” noted Ariana Stolarz, global chief strategy officer, MRM//McCann and PVBLIC Foundation board member. “Creativity has proven to be a great force for change. For it to be meaningful, change has to be sustained over time. That’s why The One Show Sustainable Development Pencil is so critical; because it will celebrate sustained impact over intentions, and true change over stunts.”